Because you have written to me in support of S.1738, the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 (formally called the Combating Child Exploitation Act), I wanted to share some good news with you about this landmark legislation to prevent child exploitation. 

 I am very pleased to inform you that Congress has passed S.1738, and it was signed into law on October 13, 2008. 

 As I noted in my previous letter to you, I believe there is no greater obligation than the safety and well-being of our children, and that is why I proudly signed on as an original co-sponsor of this bill.

 As you know, this legislation requires the Attorney General to create and implement a National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction and establish a central federal internet task force.  It also authorizes more than $320 million for grant programs to ensure state and local task forces have consistent and adequate resources to improve computer forensic labs, and fund additional federal agents within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Postal Service to focus exclusively on child exploitation.

Rest assured, I will continue working to ensure law enforcement has the resources it needs to keep our children safe. Please do not hesitate to contact me again about this or any other issue.